HotelChatter

Last spring, we went to tour some Tuscan vineyards. After a wine-soaked few days in the hills, we decided to spend our final weekend in Florence. We didn't have much money left in the budget, but we wanted to stay somewhere pretty and clean and close to good restaurants. So we were thrilled to discover Residenza Santo Spirito. Located in the Oltrarno district (just across the Arno river from the main section of Florence), Residenza Santo Spirito was a beautiful small hotel. In their three rooms--gold, silver and green--french doors led to balconies overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito, and high frescoed ceilings gazed down at us while we slept. Modern, clean bathrooms and big comfortable beds further separated the hotel from the cheap, disappointing B&Bs that otherwise clutter Florence.

When we wanted to explore, we were able to walk down the street to the Museo La Specola, the Boboli gardens and over the Ponte Vecchio to the center of Florence. At night, we returned to the hotel to share a bottle of wine on the balcony, before heading over to one of the outdoor restaurants in the piazza for gnudi (the amazing Florentine specialty of spinach and ricotta dumplings). The second night, we got a tip from a friendly Italian and followed his directions down a few twisting alleys to the hidden-away Cavolo Nero (now my favorite restaurant in Florence), where we sat in the jasmin-tree-filled garden away from the rest of the tourists and ate exquisite pasta and seafood.

For such a lovely room and location, we were thrilled that our hotel bill was reasonable at 120 euro per night. We felt like we had stumbled upon a little secret, away from other Americans, and were able to live like Italians for the weekend. Romantic, beautiful, peaceful and affordable, the Residenza Santo Spirito is a real find.

Also recommended: Cavolo Nero :: Nearby restaurant

Tags: Bene Magazine / Florence Hotel Reviews / Italian Hotel Reviews / Lists

by joannabene